West Seattle, Washington

14 Monday

60℉

Holidays 2708 results

HOLIDAY GUIDE: Last call for West Seattle Christmas Eve info! Shopping, services …
December 23, 2024 11:49 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

The WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide already has a long list of Christmas Eve church services but if yours isn’t there yet, there’s still time for us to add it. Also, we invite businesses that plan to be open on Christmas Eve to send their hours, in recognition of our fellow procrastinators (or maybe you just didn’t have the time). In both cases, the best way to send the info is westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

P.S. The Holiday Guide already has grocery-store info for Christmas Eve/Day as well as links to our lists of restaurants and coffee shops that are open at least one of those days.

Share This

VIDEO: West Seattle Runner’s annual Christmastime light-seeing run, and what’s ahead
December 22, 2024 8:40 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Holidays | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle Christmas lights | West Seattle news

A little rain doesn’t stop dedicated runners … like the ones in our photo, who showed up at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) tonight for a beloved tradition – the annual Christmas Lights Run. It’s one of countless running events that proprietors Tim and Lori McConnell – whose store will celebrate its 15th anniversary next spring – presented this year, including the Float Dodger 5K, the first-ever Halloween Lights Run, and Thanksgiving morning’s Gobble Gobble Run and food drive.

After a safety talk (and a moment to remember WSB co-founder Patrick Sand, who has been there to take the group photo at the start of so many previous Christmas Lights Runs), everyone headed out on a route the McConnells had planned:

You can see the route map here.

P.S. Looking into 2025, West Seattle Runner’s free fitness programs get going right after New Year’s – Get Fit (January 2 info night), Full Fit (also January 2 info night), and Got Fit (January 8 info night).

Share This

TONIGHT’S LIGHTS: Branching out in North Admiral
December 22, 2024 7:24 pm
|    Comments Off on TONIGHT’S LIGHTS: Branching out in North Admiral
 |   Holidays | West Seattle Christmas lights | West Seattle news

Tonight’s Christmas-lights photos were sent by Deb, showing not one house, but several in the same block – 1900 block of Sunset Avenue in North Admiral. What they have in common: Trees with light-encrusted branches and/or trunks.

Still at least three showcase spots through Christmas, so we’re still welcoming photos/location suggestions – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you! (And scroll through our archive to see what we’ve shown already.)

Share This

WEST SEATTLE WEEKEND SCENE: Cocoa Cris Cringle’s annual visit at Easy Street Records
December 22, 2024 5:08 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

After setting up the stage in the Easy Street Café, Cocoa Cris Cringle has launched his annual West Seattle photo session. If you get here before 7 pm, you too can get your pic taken with Cocoa Cris for $20 (benefiting charity) – hats and props available if you want to use them. Kids and pets welcome too. Santa pics can be serious business but it’s always fun with Cocoa Cris – who says he’s been doing this for more than 20 years!

Share This

FROM OUR HOLIDAY GUIDE: Restaurants, bars planning to be open Christmas Eve and/or Day in West Seattle
December 22, 2024 4:12 pm
|    Comments Off on FROM OUR HOLIDAY GUIDE: Restaurants, bars planning to be open Christmas Eve and/or Day in West Seattle
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

If you’ll be looking for someone else to do the cooking – or pouring – on Christmas Eve and/or Day, our annual list is now up – linked in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, or go directly to it here. We may have some changes/additions, so check back before you go. The coffee-shop list will be up later tonight; the guide already features grocery stores’ hours for Christmas Eve/Day.

Share This

WEST SEATTLE WEEKEND SCENE: Last chance for Pathfinder K-8 wreaths
December 22, 2024 12:00 pm
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE WEEKEND SCENE: Last chance for Pathfinder K-8 wreaths
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

Last chance to get a handmade wreath benefiting – and made by – Pathfinder K-8 students and supporters! Look for the booth at the KeyBank corner until 2 pm.

Share This

READER REPORT: West Seattle High School students’ gifts for ailing kids
December 22, 2024 11:52 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

Thanks to Brooke for the photo and report about students’ generosity:

Saturday we dropped off about 25 shopping bags full of new games and toys collected by West Seattle High School students, benefiting Seattle Children’s Hospital. (Pictured: Adam Gosztola, Junior and Student Council member)

Share This

TONIGHT’S LIGHTS: ‘Fun display with 2 modes of transportation’
December 21, 2024 7:02 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle Christmas lights | West Seattle news

Thanks to Yvonne for sending the photo! Here’s how she describes tonight’s featured lights, as seen on her walking route: “Here is a Santa sled taking off northbound from a snowy rooftop and there is a southbound holiday train on the front of the house complete with engine and caboose with festive laden cars inbetween. A fun display with 2 modes of transportation! Located on 32nd Ave. SW between SW Elmgrove and SW Kenyon Streets.” Still at least four more nights to showcase Christmas lights, so you still have time to suggest a location (with or without photo), westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302 – thank you! (See every display we’ve shown already by scrolling through this WSB archive.)

Share This

SUNDAY PREVIEWS: Bonus food drive; local dancers’ ‘Nutcracker Suites’
December 21, 2024 6:13 pm
|    Comments Off on SUNDAY PREVIEWS: Bonus food drive; local dancers’ ‘Nutcracker Suites’
 |   Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Advance alerts about two Sunday events of note:

EXTRA FOOD DRIVE: Robbin Peterson from the West Seattle Food Bank tells us the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle will be back at the south end of the Farmers Market tomorrow – California/Alaska – with “a final push to collect non-perishables for WSFB. While the holiday spirit inspires generosity, January often brings a sharp drop in donations—but the need remains. Contributions now will ensure we have the food to support families when regular distributions resume after the holiday. Let’s stock the shelves and start the new year with hope and abundance for all!” Find the booth at the market 10 am-2 pm.

DANCE! WEST SEATTLE: Back during the November West Seattle Art Walk, we recorded that video of Dance! West Seattle previewing “Nutcracker Suites” at Alki Arts. Tomorrow, 1:30 pm at Highline Performing Arts Center, you can see the full show, and Dance! West Seattle asked us to share this final invitation:

On the search for holiday cheer this Sunday? You are cordially invited to join Dance! West Seattle as we perform Nutcracker Suites, a newly choreographed ballet offered to the greater community. This fresh, engaging, charming show is filled with holiday spirit, providing the perfect opportunity for a delightful afternoon out at a great price!

Our 1st Act will be performed by all D!WS students showing demonstrations of what they are working on in classes, followed by our 2nd Act of Nutcracker Suites! Limited tickets are still available for ONLY $28, with no additional taxes or fees, and going quickly! Less than 100 tickets remain! Please email us at info@dancewestseattle.com to secure your seats for tomorrow’s incredible show!

Share This

GIVING: Caroling in the West Seattle Junction in the rain, to fight hunger
December 21, 2024 5:20 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

Despite the rain, despite the traffic passing by at California/Alaska, that hardy group – call them 3 Carolers 3 aka B Sharp Studio – serenaded West Seattle Junction passersby for two hours at midday today. It’s a holiday-season tradition to raise money for the White Center & West Seattle Food Banks. If you didn’t get the chance to listen in and drop a contribution in the box, you can also help the WCFB – which serves southern West Seattle too – by donating here, and/or help the WSFB by donating here.

Share This

REMINDER: Alki Beach Polar Bear Swim is on for New Year’s Day 2025, eleven days away!
December 21, 2024 2:33 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Holidays | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

(File photo by Robert Spears)

We brought you first word in November that the annual Alki Beach Polar Bear Swim was on again for January 1, 2025, after covering an Alki Community Council meeting at which organizer Mark Ufkes was one of the guests. Today, for anyone who missed that first announcement, Mark has just sent this reminder:

Alki Beach Polar Bear Swim
New Years Day – January 1, 2025, in front of Duke’s West Seattle
Make sure that you are in good health if you participate.

We go into the water at 10:00 am sharp; after a group countdown from 10, 9, 8 . . . There will be a huge crowd (well over 1,000 last year), so plan accordingly. Line up and down the beach. Spread out. Holding hands with someone you love makes going into the water much easier. Trust me on this. Once the countdown begins, get ready to run. And keep your kids close.

Wear good water shoes, bring a large towel and a warm sweater to put on after you get out of the water. And remember, the water will be warmer than the air, making the experience much more pleasant.

In that brief moment, as you run into the water, you will be surrounded by joy and laughter from the huge crowd. The entire beach is filled with cheering, abundance and happiness. It’s really quite amazing. And the crowd watching us from the sidewalk will be cheering too, with a touch of envy, for not joining us.

So, wash away the complexities of 2024, and your fears too. And as you come out of the water, you will bask in the unlimited possibilities that life offers to each of us in the New Year.

Whatever it is that you want in life, go for it. That is what the New Year, and our great nation, is telling us. Enjoy life and go for it.

Everyone has a GREAT time. You will too.

Sincerely,

Mark Ufkes and Lois Schipper (20-year Alki Polar Bear veterans)

While the beach across from Duke’s is where you’ll find Mark and his megaphone, you can find a spot pretty much anywhere on the sand to be part of the crowd running in and out.

Share This

HOLIDAY GIVING: Last call to help domestic-violence survivors via CAPERS’ Giving Tree
December 21, 2024 12:02 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

(CAPERS’ giving tree, photographed last weekend by Mel)

Got some room in your heart and budget for a little more holiday giving? Every year, CAPERS in The Junction has a Giving Tree for Hickman House, which helps domestic-violence survivors. Tomorrow (Sunday, December 22) is the last day to swap an “ornament” on the tree for a new, unwrapped gift item, so today you can stop in and get one or more ornaments to go shop to fulfill the gift wish. Details from CAPERS:

The CAPERS Giving Tree is a neighborhood collaboration that helps support women and families who are survivors of domestic violence at Hickman House, a local transitional residence. Since 1990, this tradition has brightened the lives of hundreds of families through the generous support of our community. This Giving Tree is a beautiful example of neighbors helping neighbors, and a testament to the kindness and compassion of our West Seattle community. Over the years, thousands of gifts have been collected, making a meaningful impact on countless lives. We invite you to become part of this wonderful tradition. Stop by CAPERS for more details and to select your star. Together, we can make the season magical for families in need. Thank you for your generosity this holiday season!

1. How It Works: Choose a Star: Stars, lovingly crafted by Hickman House staff, are hung on the Giving Tree in our store.

2. Purchase a Gift: Pick a star, fulfill the wish, and purchase the requested item. Gift cards to local businesses are also welcome.

3. Return by December 22: Bring the unwrapped gift back to the store by December 22.

What Happens Next: The gifts are delivered to Hickman House families, spreading joy and hope to those in need.

CAPERS (a WSB sponsor) is at 4525 California SW, open until 6 pm today, 9:30 am-5 pm Sunday.

Share This

TONIGHT’S LIGHTS: Beach balconies shine brightly
December 20, 2024 7:27 pm
|    Comments Off on TONIGHT’S LIGHTS: Beach balconies shine brightly
 |   Holidays | West Seattle Christmas lights | West Seattle news

Though most of the decorated homes whose Christmas lights we show are houses, multifamily buildings can go all-out too. Every year we enjoy checking out the buildings on Alki Avenue; this week, this one in the 1500 block caught our attention. Others are well-lit too, so if you’re heading out to drive, ride, or walk to see the lights, consider Alki Avenue. (We still have a few showcase nights remaining until Christmas – send your suggestion, with or without a photo, to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!)

Share This

WEST SEATTLE SCENE: First of two pre-holiday events at Easy Street Records
December 19, 2024 6:16 pm
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE SCENE: First of two pre-holiday events at Easy Street Records
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

(WSB photos)

This is not an official “Shop Late Thursday” in The Junction, but there’s at least one place you CAN shop late tonight … Easy Street Records is hosting a mini-Holiday Bazaar in the café area until 9 pm. We dropped in and visited two artists – Hannah from Rubbish Goods, who makes clay creations:

And Alexander K. Harris, who’s a photographer and illustrator:

Easy Street has another holiday event coming up this Sunday night (December 22nd) – the annual photo sessions with Cocoa Cris Cringle, 4:30-7 pm, a “funraiser” – $20, goes to charities. No appointment needed – just show up!

Share This

FROM OUR HOLIDAY GUIDE: Friends of Roxhill Elementary request
December 19, 2024 9:05 am
|    Comments Off on FROM OUR HOLIDAY GUIDE: Friends of Roxhill Elementary request
 |   Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

Many holiday donation drives featured in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide have ended, but the Friends of Roxhill Elementary say there’s still time to help their school’s students and their families (donate here):

Every child should have a holiday meal and present, and parents and caregivers could use less stress this holiday season. You can make a difference by donating today to Friends of Roxhill Elementary, our school’s non-profit PTO.

Bring holiday cheer and help families cover basic household needs (e.g., groceries, cleaning supplies, utilities). Our goal is to provide each family with $200 in holiday and household support this year.

While we typically have about 50 families in our community who need support through the holiday season, Roxhill Elementary School’s counselor, Ms. Amber, has shared that the need for assistance has increased this year.

“Roxhill Elementary has the most amazing community of bright, loving kids and caring, generous families,” said Ms. Amber. “I know how hard it is to ask for help, so I honor every parent that has had the courage to let me know they need help right now. This is what community is about.”

Roxhill Elementary is a small but mighty Title I school with approximately 245 students, located in the south end of West Seattle. 60% of our students are on free and reduced lunch. Over 72% of our students are from BIPOC communities (Black, Indigenous, Person of Color). Our school has a strong sense of community. We come together to celebrate and support each other.

You can help us show every family that they are seen and cared for.

Share This

VIDEO: Memories of Christmases past, and hope for the future, at The Mount’s first Hallelujah Lights
December 19, 2024 1:38 am
|    Comments Off on VIDEO: Memories of Christmases past, and hope for the future, at The Mount’s first Hallelujah Lights
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

The candles were lit and the memories were flowing even before sunset as Providence Mount St. Vincent (WSB sponsor) held its first “Hallelujah Lights” event at sunset Wednesday. The light in the sky briefly outshone the lights of The Mount’s “singing tree”:

The Mount’s Molly Swain explained that the “singing tree” is lit to respond to sound nearby – whether it’s someone walking up and clapping their hands, or music, the lights will reflect the rhythm:

The singers you heard off-camera were the event’s featured group, local vocal ensemble The Starry Crowns:

Remembering the departed at Christmastime was a central reason for the gathering, and it is especially important at a place like The Mount, it was noted, as it’s the “last stop” for many. But it’s also a place of joy and hope, with its Intergenerational Preschool, whose students were scheduled to come out for carols and cocoa later in the event (we had to move on). You can see the tree, by the way, south of the central main entrance.

Share This

TONIGHT’S LIGHTS: ‘It’s not such a bad little (display)’
December 18, 2024 9:01 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle Christmas lights | West Seattle news

Pardon the paraphrase of the famous line from this display’s inspiration … actually, it’s a GREAT display as always:

Since no one had yet nominated West Seattle’s “Charlie Brown Christmas” display for this year’s WSB spotlights, we traveled to North Admiral tonight to check to see if it’s up again this year. And it is! The characters from the TV classic are once again mingled with lights.

You can see it firsthand in the 2100 block of 47th SW. When last we heard directly from the display’s creator, Don Rice, two years ago, he said that was its 47th year, so this year would be its 49th! (Got a display to suggest? With or without photos, email us at westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you! See what we’ve shown by scrolling through this WSB archive.)

Share This

TONIGHT’S LIGHTS: From the block by the bridge
December 17, 2024 8:01 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle Christmas lights | West Seattle news

These are reader-contributed daylight photos, but the sight’s a delight at night, at this house and others along the 4000 block stub of Fauntleroy Way SW that parallels the southwest end of the West Seattle Bridge [vicinity map].

Multiple houses on the block are well-lit, many with characters and/or animations.

It’s one week until Christmas Eve – we’ll continue showing decorated homes nightly (balconies too if you’ve seen festively decked ones) – please send photos and/or locations to westseattleblog@gmail.com – and scroll through this archive to see what we’ve shown already – thank you!

Share This

COUNTDOWN: 2 weeks to New Year’s Eve! Here’s the plan for West Seattle’s only NYE parade
December 17, 2024 1:59 pm
|    Comments Off on COUNTDOWN: 2 weeks to New Year’s Eve! Here’s the plan for West Seattle’s only NYE parade
 |   Highland Park | Holidays | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, 2022 paraders gathered at Highland Park Corner Store)

West Seattle’s only New Year’s Eve parade is back this year, two weeks from tonight, on the streets of Highland Park. This isn’t a parade you watch (well, you CAN), but rather a parade to join in – the Not-So-Silent-Night Parade, walking through neighborhoods to say goodbye to 2024 and hello to 2025, early enough in the evening that you can bring the whole family, and be done in time to go to parties. Highland Park Improvement Club is presenting it and has sent the full plan, including a call for volunteers if you can help (whether or not you plan to join the parade):

Celebrate the arrival of the New Year with friends and neighbors with an all-ages, family-friendly march through Highland Park. An annual event since 2009 (with the exception of the COVID shutdown), the Not-So-Silent-Night Parade is a community celebration to ring in the new year. All ages welcome.

5:30- 6 pm: Assemble at the Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW)

The store will be open for mingling, snacks and libations.

6 pm: Parade begins

Bring your personal noise or music makers and festive lighting, and help ring in 2025 as we parade down to the Riverview Playfields for a ceremonial goodbye to the old and welcome to the new!

Interested in volunteering to help with this event?

We need:

Hospitality table hosts and cookie makers
Parade safety monitors
Luminaria set-up help
Love to dress it up? Help lead the walk!

Contact kay.kirkpatrick@hpic1919.org if interested!

Tips & Info

We parade via sidewalks primarily on quiet side streets

The route is approximately one mile, with some moderate hills. Folks are welcome to join in at any point.

This is an all-weather event! Light up your umbrella, wear your snow boots, come bundled up for whatever the season brings us.

Don’t feel up to walking? Onlookers are welcome to wave and cheer us on – or meet the marchers at the end of our route to join the ceremony and hospitality table by the Playfields.

Route ends at SW Webster and 11th Ave SW

Pets may want to stay home — it can get loud!

Share This

HOLIDAY PREVIEW: Hallelujah Lights at The Mount on Wednesday
December 16, 2024 8:21 pm
|    Comments Off on HOLIDAY PREVIEW: Hallelujah Lights at The Mount on Wednesday
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

(Photo courtesy of The Mount)

That’s the “Singing Tree” on the grounds of Providence Mount St. Vincent (4831 35th SW; WSB sponsor), which will host “Hallelujah Lights” this Wednesday night (December 18th) and sent this invitation for us to share with you:

During this holiday season, we’re excited to invite our West Seattle neighbors to a heartfelt evening of reflection, candle lighting and live music by The Starry Crowns and the lighting of our special Singing Tree, as we lift spirits in community and remember those who are no longer with us.

Wednesday, December 18
4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
(Meet us by the Singing Tree on the southeast corner of the front lawn)

Feel free to stay for cocoa, caroling, and community time from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Share This

TONIGHT’S LIGHTS: Movement and music
December 16, 2024 6:57 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle Christmas lights | West Seattle news

The clip is from Derick, who emailed from 37th and Graham to announce, “Our holiday light show is finally up and running. It will be viewable daily from sunset to 9:30 pm. Outside speakers turn off at 9 pm, but car radios can still listen on 87.9FM. The whole show is about 15 minutes long.” Nine more spotlights until Christmas – send your suggestion, with or without photo/video, to westseattleblog@gmail.com; see what we’ve already shown by scrolling through this archive!

Share This

WEST SEATTLE HOLIDAY GUIDE: Something to add? Yes, we’re still updating!
December 16, 2024 3:51 pm
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE HOLIDAY GUIDE: Something to add? Yes, we’re still updating!
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

Just a quick reminder that we’re updating the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide all the way through New Year’s, so if you have anything to add from parties to markets to church services or … please send the info ASAP! Best way to get it to us is email – westseattleblog@gmail.com – graphics/photos not required as long as you have the what/who/when/where – thank you!

Share This

YOU CAN HELP: Donation dropoffs Wednesday for schools’ clothing drive
December 16, 2024 8:59 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Many holiday-season donation drives wrap up by mid-December. Not this one. Wednesday is the first of two dropoff days – here’s the announcement we were asked to share with you:

As we head into the holidays, it’s the perfect time to clean out your closets and donate your gently used or new clothing to support a great cause! Chief Sealth International High School and Denny International Middle School are organizing a community thrift-share event for our families and school community, scheduled to take place in January. All items will be free for families.

We are seeking donations of clothes to help stock the thrift store and make this event a success. Donations can include:

-Coats, clothing, and shoes (new or gently used)
-All sizes are welcome — kids, young adults, and adults

Please Note: We are unable to accept items such as clothes with holes, used underwear or bras, worn-out shoes, or other items in poor condition.

How to Donate: Please drop off your donations at Chief Sealth International High School’s main office on December 18th or January 8th. Your support will help make a difference for families in our community. Thank you in advance for your generosity!

For more information or questions, or if you need an alternate dropoff time, please contact Shanyn Gilio-Tenan (stgiliotenan@seattleschools.org, 206.252.8684) or Ariana Nunez (arnunez@seattleschools.org, 206.252.8600).

The CSIHS office is open 8:30 am-4 pm; it’s inside the main entrance of the school at 2600 SW Thistle.

Share This